Ur-Namma the canal-digger (Ur-Namma D)

A version from Nibru

1-5. Who will dig it? Who will dig it? Who will dig the Asila-kug canal? Who will dig the Pabi-luh canal? ...... Ur-Namma will dig it. ...... will dig it.

6-14. ......, ...... Acimbabbar you are on your ...... because of Enlil. The watercourse of ...... is full of fish, and the air above is full of birds. The fresh water of ...... is full of fish, the air above is full of birds. ...... honey-plants are planted, and the carp grow fat. ...... honey-plants are planted, and the carp grow fat. The gizi reed of ...... is so sweet that the fish eat them. The gizi reed of ...... is so sweet that the fish eat them. Since my ...... was founded, it is teeming with fish and birds. Since ...... was founded, it is teeming with fish and birds.

15-16. Its ...... is the master of Eridug -- your provider (?) (Ur-Namma) is exultant. Nudimmud, the master of Eridug -- your provider (?) is exultant.

17-18. May the fresh water bring ......; may they be carried in baskets to me. May the fresh water bring ......; may they be carried in baskets to me.

A version of unknown provenance

1-5. Who will dig it? Who will dig it? Who will dig the canal? Who will dig the Kece-kug canal? Who will dig the canal? Who will dig the Pabi-luh canal? Who will dig the canal? Wealthy Ur-Namma will dig it. The trustworthy, prosperous youth will dig it.

6-20. My king, Lord Acimbabbar, you are on your throne because of Enlil. Youthful Suen, Lord Acimbabbar, you are on your throne because of Enlil. I, the king, whose fate was already decreed in the true womb, who raises his head in authority, Ur-Namma, the youth who caught the eyes of the Great Mountain Enlil, was chosen by Nunamnir in Sumer and Akkad. He decreed my fate in Nibru, in the mountain of life. He beamed at me approvingly and bestowed the kingship on me. In Urim, in the E-mud-kura, he made the foundation of my throne firm. He ...... the holy sceptre to guide the numerous people in my hand. He ...... the staff and the shepherd's crook to ...... the expanding and teeming people. Lord Acimbabbar ...... a long-lasting life. Enlil ...... of the four quarters of the world. He ...... a lasting name, a name worthy to be praised. Enki presented me with my broad wisdom.

21-33. ln my city I dug a canal of abundance and named it the Kece-kug canal; in Urim, I dug a canal of abundance and named it the Kece-kug canal. I named it the Pabi-luh canal, a lasting name worthy to be praised. The watercourse of my city is full of fish, and the air above it is full of birds. The watercourse of Urim is full of fish, and the air above it is full of birds. In my city honey-plants are planted, and the carp grow fat. In Urim honey-plants are planted, and the carp grow fat. The gizi reed of my city is so sweet that the cows eat them. The gizi reed of Urim is so sweet that the cows eat them. Since my ......, it is teeming with fish and birds. In Urim ....... May the watercourse bring them (the fish) into my canal, may they be carried in baskets to him. May the watercourse bring them into Urim, into my canal, may they be carried in baskets to him.

34-35. Its king is the master of Eridug -- your provider (?) (Ur-Namma) is exultant. Nudimmud, the master of Eridug -- your provider (?) is exultant.

36-39. King of the four quarters, you who make Enlil content, Ur-Namma, provider of Nibru, supporter of Urim, with you (?) the people pass the time joyously at (?) moonlight over the Land of Urim.

A version from Urim

1-10.unknown no. of lines missing1 line fragmentary Who will dig it? Who will dig the ...... canal? Who will dig the canal? Who will dig the Jisala-jara canal? Who will dig the canal? Wealthy Ur-Namma will dig it. Who will dig the canal? Prosperous Culgi will dig it. Who will dig the canal?

11-28. I, the king, whose fate was already decreed in the true womb, who raises his head in authority, Ur-Namma, the youth who caught the eyes of the Great Mountain Enlil, was chosen by Nunamnir in Sumer and Akkad. He decreed my fate in Nibru, in the mountain of life. In Urim, in the E-mud-kura, he made the foundation of my throne firm. He placed the awesome crown, the adornment of kingship, on my head. He put (?) the holy staff to guide the numerous people in my hand. He ...... the staff, the shepherd's crook into my hand, and the nose-rope to lead the living. He ...... the amazing house ....... 2 lines fragmentary1 line missing ...... strengthened the roots of E-kic-nu-jal, ......, E-temen-ni-guru, a delightful residence. 1 line unclear ...... standing in silver .......

29-36. ......, and I named it the Kece-kug canal. I named it the Pabi-luh canal, a lasting name worthy to be praised. The watercourse of my city is full of fish, and the air above it is full of birds. The city of the Kece-kug canal is full of fish, and the air above it is full of birds. The watercourse of the Pabi-luh canal is full of fish, and the air above it is full of birds. Its abundance brings fish and birds for me to the E-kic-nu-jal. Its banks are lush with licorice, a honey-sweet plant to eat. Its arable tracts grow fine grain sprouting abundantly like a forest.

37-39. King of the four quarters, favourite of Enlil, shepherd Ur-Namma, the provider of Sumer and Akkad, beloved of Enlil, it is you (?) who makes ...... of Urim pass the time joyously .......